The Black River Kayak-a-Thon is an event held annually to encourage recreation on the Black River, to celebrate the restoration efforts that are underway along the river, and to highlight water quality efforts that are improving the water quality of the Black River. For the past seven years, the City of Lorain and project partners including Region 5 EPA Great Lakes National Program Office, NOAA, Ohio EPA, Lorain County, the Black River Area of Concern Advisory Committee, the Lorain County Health District, LoCo ‘Yaks, and many other local and private firms have supported the restoration activities occurring along the Black River through involvement in the Kayak-a-Thon. This project team has worked alongside the City to encourage ecotourism on the Black River and to educate community members and river users of the great strides being made to improve the health and habitat of the Black River.